Bill Overview
Title: A bill to modify requirements for certain employment activities by former intelligence officers and employees of the intelligence community, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill permanently prohibits certain federal employees in the intelligence community, after their federal employment, from taking positions serving specified foreign countries.
Sponsors: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Target Audience
Population: Former intelligence officers and employees of the intelligence community
Estimated Size: 70000
- The global population of former intelligence officers includes individuals who have served in various countries' intelligence agencies.
- Many countries actively hire former foreign intelligence officers for their expertise and insider knowledge.
- The number of people globally who have served or are serving as intelligence officers is large, though not precisely counted, likely in the hundreds of thousands.
- The potential global target population includes all current and future former intelligence officers who may seek employment with foreign governments.
Reasoning
- The simulation targets a specific subset of the U.S. population previously employed in the intelligence community.
- The budget allocates funds to monitor and enforce the policy, impacting around 70,000 potentials in the U.S., a feasible number within budget constraints.
- The direct beneficiaries include citizens whose national security is marginally improved, although they wouldn't be included in this impact study.
- Many intelligence retirees do not seek foreign positions; those impacted will have diminished opportunities, possibly lowering short-term wellbeing due to restricted job prospects.
Simulated Interviews
Retired CIA officer (Langley, VA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I understand why this policy is in place, but it limits my career options in retirement.
- There are only so many high-level consultancy jobs available domestically.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 7 |
Former NSA analyst (Fort Meade, MD)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't affect me much as I plan to work in the private sector rather than for a foreign government.
- If anything, it adds a layer of security in my future job prospects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Ex-FBI agent (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I had a few contracts lined up overseas which are now off the table.
- This policy has really upended my retirement plans.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 8 |
Cybersecurity consultant (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I never aimed to work for a foreign government, it was nice to have that option.
- This restricts my network but not my wellbeing directly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Policy advisor (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see this restrictive policy as beneficial for national security.
- It impacts my peers more than me as I’m now deeply embedded in domestic policy roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
University professor (Seattle, WA)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn’t really affect my work as an academic.
- I believe it is a necessary measure for protecting national interests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Freelance writer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- There are fewer opportunities abroad to utilize my full expertise.
- However, it's a necessary evil in today's geopolitical climate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Security analyst (San Antonio, TX)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn’t directly impact me now but could have if I left my current position.
- It does create an environment of reduced options which may affect future decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
International consultant (New York, NY)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Some of the offers I was considering are now void due to these restrictions.
- It is frustrating as it limits my career growth and income.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 8 |
Retired intelligence officer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Though I am not currently working, I always thought having the option of foreign work would be powerful.
- This policy limits dreams I might pursue in the future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- Monitoring and enforcement mechanisms must be efficient and cost-effective.
- The bill might face legal challenges regarding employment rights and international employment laws.
- Consideration for treaties and international relations as the legislation could impact diplomatic ties.